A 59sqm two-room apartment where different eras blend harmoniously
This classic, historic 59sqm two-room apartment blends its original features with vintage furniture and touches of red
Stockholm is full of late 19th-century buildings, and it is in the renowned Södermalm neighborhood that we discover this 59sqm two-room apartment. The building in which it is located was built in 1903 and has retained many of its period details. But while respecting its roots, the apartment has been renovated with contemporary elements that blend beautifully with the old.
Buildings constructed during that era favored high ceilings and large windows, two features that are fully evident here. These features naturally create a sense of greater spaciousness in this small apartment.
The living room is bright and features light pine hardwood floors illuminated by the large west-facing window. A traditional antique tiled stove sits in one corner, adding charm to this room, which also features a balcony. The beige, tufted sofa with rounded lines is inviting and looks very comfortable.
A red “Flowerpot” pendant light by Verner Panton, hanging from the ceiling, adds energy to the entire decor. This red serves as a unifying theme throughout the apartment, a color that also appears in the kitchen, the entryway, and even on the bathroom floor. Only the bedroom is an exception, featuring a green that contrasts perfectly with this primary color.
The oval coffee table is also red. This room brings together several decorative styles from different eras, including elements dating back to the building’s construction, such as the moldings, doors, and, of course, the stove, as well as mid-century pieces like the wooden armchair and the red pendant light. The sofa, on the other hand, is decidedly contemporary.
The balcony overlooks a courtyard where you can admire the classic yellow Swedish facades punctuated by windows with red frames. This outdoor space is furnished with a bamboo privacy screen and potted plants, bringing a touch of nature to the city. This is an important feature of the apartment, as the Swedish way of life embraces spaces where you can relax outdoors, even in winter.
The bedroom takes a completely different approach, featuring sage green walls. This color envelops the room in a soft atmosphere. It’s furnished with a solid wood bed and an antique dresser. Here, too, the apartment is fortunate to have a white tiled stove, identical to the one in the living room.
Numerous closets provide storage for clothes in the bedroom, along with a small open walk-in closet. On the stool repurposed as a nightstand, you’ll notice the orange VARMBLIXT glass lamp shaped like a doughnut from IKEA. When turned on in the evening, it casts a soft, warm glow. Two twin windows illuminate the bedroom, their white frames contrast beautifully with the sage green walls.
The separate kitchen, a classic layout in older buildings, opted for simplicity with its white cabinet fronts and metro-tile backsplash. The solid wood countertop visually warms up the space, echoing the original hardwood floors throughout the apartment. Its burgundy retro refrigerator sets this room apart from the ordinary. The window also opens onto the inner courtyard.
The bathroom, entirely tiled in white with a reddish terracotta stone floor, is more traditional. An old dark wooden door, repurposed as wall-mounted storage, adds a welcome touch of originality to this otherwise fairly neutral space.
This apartment charms with its cohesive decor. We also appreciate its rejection of overly strict Scandinavian minimalism. The bold use of color, particularly the red and green in the bedroom, makes it a standout space. It’s a far cry from the usual combination of wood, white, and gray that eventually grows tiresome. The mix of vintage finds and contemporary furniture works particularly well.
In many ways, this apartment evokes the interiors found in classic buildings in European cities. The blend of preserved heritage elements and contemporary furniture is also a strong trend here.
In major European cities, buyers are increasingly seeking out this type of older property that has been updated without compromising its original character. Of course, you’re more likely to find a marble fireplace here than a Scandinavian tiled stove. But the same charm will emanate from these places, which once embodied a different approach to living.
Throughout Europe, there were periods of urban expansion in the late 19th century, with similar building codes. These codes mandated generous ceiling heights and ornate facades. Thus, in Stockholm’s apartment buildings, one finds familiar landmarks.
This historic Stockholm neighborhood, once working-class, has undergone gradual gentrification, as in many other major European cities. Yet it has retained, at least in part, its original working-class character.
Early 20th-century buildings, like this one, are integrated into a neighborhood featuring artists’ studios and independent shops. It is precisely this mix that makes Södermalm so attractive to Stockholm residents seeking urban authenticity.
The neighborhood also attracts a younger population than the historic center. Independent art galleries sit side by side with Scandinavian design concept stores, and there are numerous flower-filled courtyards, such as the one in this apartment. They offer oases of calm in the heart of the bustling city.
59sqm
This 59sqm two-room apartment is for sale at Bjurfors
Buildings constructed during that era favored high ceilings and large windows, two features that are fully evident here. These features naturally create a sense of greater spaciousness in this small apartment.
The living room with colorful contemporary elements
The living room is bright and features light pine hardwood floors illuminated by the large west-facing window. A traditional antique tiled stove sits in one corner, adding charm to this room, which also features a balcony. The beige, tufted sofa with rounded lines is inviting and looks very comfortable.
A red “Flowerpot” pendant light by Verner Panton, hanging from the ceiling, adds energy to the entire decor. This red serves as a unifying theme throughout the apartment, a color that also appears in the kitchen, the entryway, and even on the bathroom floor. Only the bedroom is an exception, featuring a green that contrasts perfectly with this primary color.
The oval coffee table is also red. This room brings together several decorative styles from different eras, including elements dating back to the building’s construction, such as the moldings, doors, and, of course, the stove, as well as mid-century pieces like the wooden armchair and the red pendant light. The sofa, on the other hand, is decidedly contemporary.
The balcony overlooks a courtyard where you can admire the classic yellow Swedish facades punctuated by windows with red frames. This outdoor space is furnished with a bamboo privacy screen and potted plants, bringing a touch of nature to the city. This is an important feature of the apartment, as the Swedish way of life embraces spaces where you can relax outdoors, even in winter.
A soothing bedroom
The bedroom takes a completely different approach, featuring sage green walls. This color envelops the room in a soft atmosphere. It’s furnished with a solid wood bed and an antique dresser. Here, too, the apartment is fortunate to have a white tiled stove, identical to the one in the living room.
Numerous closets provide storage for clothes in the bedroom, along with a small open walk-in closet. On the stool repurposed as a nightstand, you’ll notice the orange VARMBLIXT glass lamp shaped like a doughnut from IKEA. When turned on in the evening, it casts a soft, warm glow. Two twin windows illuminate the bedroom, their white frames contrast beautifully with the sage green walls.
A functional kitchen, true to the spirit of the place
The separate kitchen, a classic layout in older buildings, opted for simplicity with its white cabinet fronts and metro-tile backsplash. The solid wood countertop visually warms up the space, echoing the original hardwood floors throughout the apartment. Its burgundy retro refrigerator sets this room apart from the ordinary. The window also opens onto the inner courtyard.
A neutral bathroom
The bathroom, entirely tiled in white with a reddish terracotta stone floor, is more traditional. An old dark wooden door, repurposed as wall-mounted storage, adds a welcome touch of originality to this otherwise fairly neutral space.
Our take on this renovation
This apartment charms with its cohesive decor. We also appreciate its rejection of overly strict Scandinavian minimalism. The bold use of color, particularly the red and green in the bedroom, makes it a standout space. It’s a far cry from the usual combination of wood, white, and gray that eventually grows tiresome. The mix of vintage finds and contemporary furniture works particularly well.
A nod to historic European neighborhoods
In many ways, this apartment evokes the interiors found in classic buildings in European cities. The blend of preserved heritage elements and contemporary furniture is also a strong trend here.
In major European cities, buyers are increasingly seeking out this type of older property that has been updated without compromising its original character. Of course, you’re more likely to find a marble fireplace here than a Scandinavian tiled stove. But the same charm will emanate from these places, which once embodied a different approach to living.
Throughout Europe, there were periods of urban expansion in the late 19th century, with similar building codes. These codes mandated generous ceiling heights and ornate facades. Thus, in Stockholm’s apartment buildings, one finds familiar landmarks.
Södermalm, a vibrant neighborhood in the heart of Stockholm
This historic Stockholm neighborhood, once working-class, has undergone gradual gentrification, as in many other major European cities. Yet it has retained, at least in part, its original working-class character.
Early 20th-century buildings, like this one, are integrated into a neighborhood featuring artists’ studios and independent shops. It is precisely this mix that makes Södermalm so attractive to Stockholm residents seeking urban authenticity.
The neighborhood also attracts a younger population than the historic center. Independent art galleries sit side by side with Scandinavian design concept stores, and there are numerous flower-filled courtyards, such as the one in this apartment. They offer oases of calm in the heart of the bustling city.
59sqm
This 59sqm two-room apartment is for sale at Bjurfors
Comments